How to Attack Child Obesity

A shocked silence fell over the attendees at a recent conference of the American Heart Association when it was announced that almost one third of U.S. children are overweight, with about 20% being obese. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) states: “The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%…An estimated 61% of obese young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.”

Now, we can all agree why obesity has become such an epidemic among U.S. children – poor diets and lack of exercise. The 2007 YRB Survey indicates that teenagers are also slipping into a dangerous pattern of unhealthy diets and low activity levels:

• About 80% ate fruits and vegetables less than five times per day the week before the survey was administered.
• About 35% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda (not including diet soda) at least one time per day during that same period.

This unprecedented rise in the prevalence of obesity seems set tocontinue and will likely place our nation’s health care system into crisis as it struggles to cope with a massive increase in heart disease, diabetes and other weight-related illnesses in the coming decades. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is in agreement with all the other medical authorities here – these health problems are directly attributable to obesity.

In the developed world, childhood obesity is already at shocking levels. It is also on the rise in the developing world; unless some changes are made, a global healthcare crisis seems unavoidable.

It is well known that eating breakfast improves academic performance. However, many teenagers think that skipping this meal will help them to stay slim and attractive; which is entirely wrong! When children skip breakfast, they usually more than make up for it by snacking more frequently and eating more at lunch and dinner. Breakfast is the one meal which should not be skipped and this needs to be ingrained in our children from a young age.

Children have plenty of healthy breakfast options open to them – breakfast should include protein, carbohydrates and fruit. Remember, breakfast should make up at least a third of you daily nutrients! Cheese, eggs, yogurt and peanut butter are all good choices which children enjoy.

For carbohydrates, cereal is a good way to go. Give your kids cereal which contains plenty of fiber (2g/serving or more) but is low in sugar (10g/serving or less). Fiber helps you feel full and prevents snacking. Oatmeal or whole wheat cereal are also good choices.

Waffles with fruit or light syrup or toast are also excellent carbohydrate options. Make sure you work in some fruit at breakfast, since it can be hard to get the recommended daily servings otherwise. Even some sliced strawberries or bananas in yogurt or on cereal can fit the bill nicely.

And don’t forget exercise – this is equally important. Encourage your child to get involved in sports or other physical activities, which will help them to increase their metabolism and burn off more calories from their diet.